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Nigeria’s
U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, got their campaign at the 2011 Africa
Youth Championships (AYC) off to a winning start as they defeated the
reigning world and African champions, the Black Satellites of Ghana, by
2-1.

Two strikes from
Enugu Rangers forward, Uche Nwofor, ensured Nigeria’s first victory over
Ghana. The Black Satellites had recorded a hat trick of wins in the
previous meetings between both teams at the AYC.

The Flying Eagles
started the stronger of the two teams, with star attacker Ahmed Musa,
who only joined the team on Sunday evening from Holland, posing so much
threat to the Ghanaian defence.

After much incursion
into the Ghanaian deeper half, the Flying Eagles deservedly took the
lead in the 17th minute, taking advantage of poor defending by their
opponents.

A cross from the
right flank was flicked-on by Abdul Ajagun to Uche Nwofor who fired the
ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper James Achampong to make it 1-0.

The goal seemed to
spur the Black Satellites into action as they got back on level terms in
the 32nd minute. Right-back Richmond Nketiah crossed to the near post
from a corner kick which Kwame Nsor scored with a header.

With the first half
ending even, both teams resumed for the second half seeking another goal
that would guarantee the three points in the testy opening encounter.

Both teams had their
chances to change the scoreline in the second half but it wasn’t until
the 82nd minute that the deadlock was broken.

Winning goal

Nwofor again found
himself in space on the right flank and looked to be lining up a cross;
the ball bobbled up off the pitch, causing the attacker to mis-time his
kick, while the ball looped over a helpless Achampong and found its way
to the back of the Ghanaian net.

At the end of the
game the happier of the coaches, expectedly, was John Obuh who was
thrilled by the important opening day win over Ghana. “I am happy to
have won the opening game, especially against a strong team like Ghana.
We have done well. Congratulations to my boys, and thank God,” declared
Obuh.

Ghana coach, Orlando
Wellington, said he is still optimistic that his side would cruise
through the group phase with six points in their next two matches to
grab one of the two slots for the semi-finals, and also for the World
Cup in Columbia. “My team lost because of tactical indiscipline on the
part of my players. We will go home and fix the problem so that we can
win the next two games and qualify for the next round.

Nigeria, now atop
Group B, will be meeting the Young Lions of Cameroon on Thursday, April
21. The Young Lions had defeated Gambia 1-0. Ghana will be meeting
Gambia on the same day.